This film brings you the feeling of a real Japanese fire ceremony. There is no text, no additional music, only the rhythm of the temple drums, the chanting of the monks, the flickering of the fire and the sweat of the people who participated in this ceremony in the Buddhist SAIFUKUJI TEMPLE near Kagoshima in southern Japan. You can almost sense the heat of the fire, the fume of burning incense and the smoke of the pieces of wood that carry a message of the people – wishes that rise to Heaven with the help of the smoke. Experience this ceremony as I did; it was one of the most stunning experiences of my life. The video starts with an introduction by the chief priest of the temple, Ekan Ikeguchi; the actual fire ceremony starts at 9:19 min.
